Use a small amount, as the oil is very strong. Try putting a few drops into a bowl of hot water for a steam treatment. Never ingest eucalyptus oil unless specifically told to by your doctor. There are cold and cough medicines that have eucalyptus oil in them, but they have been formulated for ingestion. The oil is very concentrated and can be very dangerous if too much is ingested. Always ask your doctor before taking any dosage of eucalyptus oil orally.
Anise is available as a seed and essential oil. Use 0. 5 to 3 grams of the seed or 0. 1 to 0. 3 mL of the oil. Use the seed in loose leaf tea or the oil in steam treatments. [6] X Research source Thyme and oregano are available as a fresh or dried herbs and are safe at any dosage. They can be added to foods and sprinkled into loose leaf tea.
Cardamom is available as a spice, as seeds, and as an oil. All can be used in cooking to help with congestion. The dosing depends on taste. Cayenne is available as a raw pepper, which can be eaten raw or cooked. You can also get it at powder, which can be used in recipes and mixed into beverages. There is no dosing information. The amount depends in taste. [9] X Research source
For tea, use 1 tsp of dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water. Peppermint oil can be used in 1 to 2 mL doses on the skin. Ingest less than 1 mL at a time. Do not use peppermint or give peppermint products to small children and infants, as it can cause breathing problems in the young.
Despite the caution, horseradish root has been tested and found effective for sinusitis and bronchitis, which are conditions that cause congestion. [15] X Research source Goos, K. H. , Albrecht, U. , and Schneider, B. [Efficacy and safety profile of a herbal drug containing nasturtium herb and horseradish root in acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute urinary tract infection in comparison with other treatments in the daily practice/results of a prospective cohort study]. Arzneimittelforschung 2006;56(3):249-257 The common dosage for horseradish is 20 g of fresh root per day while you are suffering from congestion or respiratory issues. This can be added to recipes or in sauces. It also comes in supplement form, with dosing between two and three capsules per day. Fennel seed can be taken as a seed or as an oil. The daily dosage of the seed is 5 to 7 g and of the oil is 0. 1 to 0. 6 mL. [16] X Research source
There are also some drug interactions with pleurisy root. Do not use pleurisy root with Digoxin (Lanoxin), any estrogens such as oral contraceptives, or diuretics (water pills) including chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide).
If you are already seeing a physician, continue with those treatments along with steam treatments. If you are not seeing a physician and these treatments don’t give you any relief within five to seven days, make an appointment to see a physician. You may be dealing with a more complicated situation.
You can also try a mixture of a couple different herbs or oils, such as eucalyptus and peppermint. These essential oils have either antibacterial, antifungal, or antiseptic properties. This means they can kill bacteria and other microorganisms that can infect the sinuses as well as help break up congestion. Be aware that allergic reactions are always possible with herbs. The first time you try an herb, do so for only three to five minutes for steam treatments and and then wait for 30 minutes to determine if you are experiencing any adverse reactions. If you do, choose another herb. [17] X Research source
If you don’t have a quart pot, a kettle or other pot that can hold at least a quart of water will work fine. Never place your head over boiling water. This can cause burns or serious injury. Cayenne pepper is the exception to the recipe for teas and steam decongesting. Use ⅛ to ¼ a teaspoon. This herb is very strong and is too overpowering in larger doses. [19] X Research source
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for five counts and then in and out through your mouth for two counts. Repeat for 10 minutes or as long as the water is still steaming. Try to blow your nose during and after the treatments. You can do this every two hours or as often as your schedule permits. [21] X Research source
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for five counts and then in and out through your mouth for two counts. Repeat for 10 minutes or as long as the water is still steaming. Try to blow your nose during and after the treatments. You can do this every two hours or as often as your schedule permits. [21] X Research source
